Topic: Today’s News

First Nations child and youth injuries focus of new collaborative report

VICTORIA – Representative for Children and Youth Jennifer Charlesworth today released a  report examining critical injuries and deaths of First Nations children and youth Illuminating  Service Experience: A Descriptive Analysis of Injury and Death Reports for First Nations  Children and Youth in B.C., 2015 to 2017. The report is the result of an aggregate review of  injury and death data and is designed to be directly useful to the communities affected.  

“We are acutely aware that, broadly speaking, much research since colonization that involves  First Nations, Métis, Inuit and urban Indigenous peoples has not served their communities,” said  Charlesworth. “It’s time for that to change. With this report, we are aiming to disrupt that  trajectory and work in respectful collaboration with First Nations communities to produce  research that they have said they need and that will be useful to them as they prepare to  resume jurisdiction over their own child welfare systems.” 

This is the second report produced by the Representative’s office that intentionally aims to work  collaboratively with, and in service of, First Nations, Métis, Inuit and Urban Indigenous  communities. The sister report to this one Invisible Children: A descriptive analysis of injury  and death reports for Métis children and youth in B.C., 2015 to 2017 was released in July  2020.  

This report focuses on injuries reported for children and youth identified as First Nations by the  Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD), and uses injuries and deaths reported for  non-Indigenous children and youth as a comparison group.  

The Representative and her staff met with First Nations leaders, community members and  service providers to share the data and hear their ideas for analysis. Among others, the  Representative met with the Delegated Aboriginal Agencies Directors Forum, the First Nations  Leadership Council representing the First Nations Summit, the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs and  the B.C. Assembly of First Nations, and presented data to the All Chiefs meeting in 2019. 

Directors Forum Chair Mary Teegee said, “The Directors Forum is saddened to hear the  troubling statistics of deaths and critical injuries of First Nations children and youth. Reports  such as this must drive systems responsible for the funding and policies to support and care for the most vulnerable and at-risk First Nations children and youth to do better to support the  transformation of Indigenous child and family services. It is time to broaden our inquiry tobecome curious about the bright spots where Indigenous child and family services are making a  positive difference for First Nations children. Learning from the experience of those providing  Indigenous child and family services is a key step in the pathway to improved outcomes for  Indigenous children and youth.” 

Among the findings, the data shows the majority of injuries reported for First Nations children  and youth were for those in the care of the Ministry of Children and Family Development or a  Delegated Aboriginal Authority. The highest number of injuries were reported for First Nations children in permanent care under a Continuing Custody Order (CCO). There was a striking  difference in the number of injuries reported for First Nations and non-Indigenous children who  were CCO. More than two times the number of injuries were reported for First Nations children  and youth who were CCO than non-Indigenous children and youth who were CCO.  

Other findings included: 

• one-third of deaths reported for First Nations children and youth were unexpected (due  to accident, suicide or homicide) 

• most injuries reported for First Nations youth were for female-identifying youth • injuries reported for First Nations youth were most commonly reported for those placed  in foster homes 

• sexual assaults and suicide attempts were the most commonly reported injuries for both  First Nations children and youth and non-Indigenous children and youth 

• physical assault injuries and caregiver mistreatment were reported more commonly for  First Nations children and youth than non-Indigenous children and youth. 

The data reviewed also raises other questions, for example, is there a difference in the number  and type of injuries reported for First Nations children and youth served by MCFD versus  DAAs? Is there a difference in the number and type of injuries reported for those children and  youth who have active family or community involvement in their lives and those who do not? What is working well to protect First Nations children and youth from harms? 

“A primary goal of this report is to provide First Nations leadership and service providers with  more information to inform and support their work on resumption of child welfare jurisdiction,”  said Charlesworth. “And in the work of this Office going forward, in addition to consulting with  those who have the most intimate knowledge of what is best for their own children, youth and  families – the communities, families, services providers, leadership groups and young people  themselves – we will also focus on bright spots to examine what is working and what should be  

built upon in future.” 

“My hope is that the data presented in this report and the Invisible Children report will support  the ongoing call for funding for services and supports that are sustainable, predictable and  necessary to address the substantive inequities that exist for First Nations, Metis and Inuit  children, youth and their families.” 

Wet’suwet’en Women Urge Dr. Bonnie Henry to Shut Down Industrial Camps Amid Covid Outbreaks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Wet’suwet’en Women Urge Dr. Bonnie Henry to Shut Down Industrial Camps Amid Covid Outbreaks

November 30, 2020 – Smithers (BC) – Wet’suwet’en women have penned an open-letter to Dr. Bonnie Henry urging British Columbia to designate oil and gas work as non-essential amid Covid outbreaks and cases at LNG Canada and Coastal Gaslink facilities.

“We understand that the province has declared oil and gas work an essential service, however, we strongly encourage you to reconsider,” the open letter states. “The economy cannot come before Indigenous lives.”

43 confirmed cases of Covid 19 have been tied to an LNG Canada facility in Kitimat, while Wet’suwet’en have been informed of 2 confirmed cases of Covid 19, with six individuals in self isolation, at Coastal Gaslink’s Camp 9A on Unist’ot’en yintah (territory). Man camps do not have capacity to isolate all Covid positive workers and send them home to self isolate, where many must cohabitate with elders and other community members.

Wet’suwet’en Chiefs, elders, and members are subject to ongoing surveillance and harassment by Coastal Gaslink’s private security contractors and the RCMP, who in many instances do not wear masks or refuse to observe safe distances when interacting with our community members. Our Chiefs and elders are concerned about contracting the virus from workers on the territory and are limiting their travel on our yintah.

“Making a conscious decision to bring transient workers into our territories and communities is telling us that the economic gain of the province or state is more important than our language and cultures. You are telling us that the economic gain of the province is more important than our lives. Your behaviour and attitude facilitates the states’ genocide of our people and lands.” the letter continues.

Dr. Bonnie Henry was previously urged by Dr. David Bowering, former Chief Medical Health Officer for Northern Health, to “immediately shut down the industrial work camps” early in the pandemic. In a March 28 open letter, he wrote: “The camps are and will be COVID-19 incubators placing the workers, the host communities, and the home communities of the workers at unacceptable risk.”

The Wet’suwet’en women conclude by outlining a path forward and an opportunity for meaningful reconciliation in British Columbia’s pandemic response:

“This pandemic has vastly changed the way society functions. Many of these changes have benefited families, communities and the land. Society had to adjust to new norms. Some have been difficult and others have been welcome. We see this as an opportunity to change the way Indigenous people are treated from less than human and unworthy of protection to the valuable community members that we are.”

OPEN LETTER:

Urgent Concerns from Wet’suwet’en Ts’ako ze’ and Skiy ze’

Join us! COVID-19: A First Nations Health Managers Association Virtual Town Hall – Second Phase Thursday December 10, 2020 on Indigenous Health Today

FNHMA Live broadcast tomorrow:Thursday December 10, at 1:00pm EDT on:www.ihtoday.ca/townhall

This week features the following guest speakers:

  • James Brooks MD, FRCPC, PHAC-ASPC, Public Health Agency of Canada
  • Linda Pillsworth, Manager, Environmental Public Health Division, FNIHB, Department of Indigenous Services Canada
  • Alika Lafontaine, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine U of Alberta
  • Hosted & Moderated by: Marion Crowe, CEO, FNHMA

 Join us & email us your key questions for our speakers in advance to FNHMA@ihtoday.ca

Questions will be taken by email, and answered LIVE during the broadcast! French & English translations providedEnglish: www.ihtoday.ca/townhallFrench: www.ihtoday.ca/townhall-french


Get your questions ready! Questions will be takenby email, and answered LIVE during Thursday’sbroadcast, email FNHMA@ihtoday.cayour questions today! 

Anishinabek Nation welcomes new Language Commissioner

On behalf of the Anishinabek Nation, Grand Council Chief Glen Hare welcomes the new Anishinabek Nation Language Commissioner  Barbara Nolan. 

“Mino Giizhigaad! I am pleased to announce Barbara Nolan has accepted the appointment as the  Anishinabek Nation Language Commissioner! With the extraordinary times of COVID-19 impacting  our First Nations, we are pleased to share such exciting news that she has decided to join the  Anishinabek Nation,” expresses Grand Council Chief Glen Hare. “As one of our key areas in  Anishinaabe Governance is language and culture, we are greatly looking forward to working with  the Language Commissioner in the coming years and implement strategies going forward.” 

Barbara Nolan, a member of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory now residing in Garden River First  Nation, has spent several decades working with a variety of organizations to revitalize  Anishinaabemowin. She enjoys consulting with First Nations and Indigenous communities on  effective development of language nests and immersion programs, as well as training  Anishinaabemowin speakers in successful methods of immersion instruction. 

“We are currently in the midst of an inspiring period of healing and nation-building. Through language,  we can connect with the rest of our culture. It is a way of having our identity whole again,” says  Anishinabek Nation Language Commissioner Barbara Nolan. “I hope to contribute in a positive way to  these efforts to reclaim our voice, our identity. Together, we can reclaim our language.” 

Her commitment and dedication to preserving and transferring Anishinaabemowin extend to the  binoojii at the Garden River Child Care Centre where she offers part-time Anishinaabemowin  immersion. Additionally, she carefully designed and produced the Nishnaabemdaa app, an  Anishinaabemowin language app available for iOS and Android devices. 

“Her role at the Anishinabek Nation, much like the language carriers in our communities, is critical and integral to language preservation as our language has been endangered since colonization,”  adds Grand Council Chief Hare. “She carries with her accumulated knowledge and wisdom of  many generations before us and will deeply enrich our knowledge and appreciation for our  beautiful language.” 

The Anishinabek Nation is a political advocate for 39 member First Nations across Ontario,  representing approximately 65,000 citizens. The Anishinabek Nation is the oldest political 

organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which  existed long before European contact.

Nalcor downplaying elevated concentrations of methylmercury in Muskrat Falls reservoir

The Nunatsiavut Government is raising concerns over recent assertions by Nalcor Energy that increases  in concentration of methylmercury in the Muskrat Falls reservoir and Churchill River are in line with  what was initially projected before impoundment. 

“Nalcor is intentionally misrepresenting the numbers by suggesting that the concentrations of  methylmercury are substantially lower than guideline levels in drinking water. This is not the issue nor  the concern, but rather the increases in methylmercury in species like fish and seals,” says Lands and  Natural Resources Minister Greg Flowers. “At some monitoring stations, methylmercury concentrations in water are higher than what Nalcor originally projected. This is concerning given it is already showing  that Nalcor’s modelling is inaccurate, which has been the position of the Nunatsiavut Government for  years.” 

In fact, says Minister Flowers, current methylmercury concentrations from the flooding of the Muskrat  Falls reservoir are more consistent with those projected by independent researchers at Harvard  University, published in peer-reviewed literature. As a result of this research, the Nunatsiavut  Government was adamant that the reservoir be fully cleared of vegetation and soil to reduce future  methylmercury production. Despite this also being a recommendation of the Independent Expert  Advisory Committee (IEAC), that work was not completed. 

Additionally, the IEAC requested both of the methylmercury models of Nalcor and Ryan Calder (Harvard) be provided to the Expert’s Committee (established under the IEAC) for independent review,  scrutiny and to make improvements. The Calder model was provided, reviewed, and adjusted based on  feedback. Nalcor did not provide its model to the Expert’s Committee, despite having committed to  doing so.  

It should not come as a surprise that Nalcor’s modeling and projections are inaccurate, says Minister  Flowers, given the unwillingness to allow independent evaluation by the IEAC.  

It is anticipated that Nalcor’s modeling of increases in methylmercury concentrations will continue to be  inaccurate moving forward, which is why extensive monitoring is critical to understanding potential  impacts on the Lake Melville ecosystem, the Minister adds

“It is important to clarify that the increased methylmercury concentrations observed in the Churchill  River and mouth of Lake Melville are a result of increases in the Muskrat Falls reservoir. They are not a  result of increases in Lake Melville. This isn’t to say that increases are not going to happen in Lake  Melville, but currently that is not the case. If there are increases in methylmercury in the Lake Melville  ecosystem in species like fish and seals, they won’t be observed yet. This is because methylmercury first  needs to bio-accumulate in the smaller part of the food web, like plankton, and then concentrations bio magnify when larger species eat those smaller species. This whole process takes time, over a span of  years.” 

Minister Flowers stressed the importance of protecting the health and wellbeing of people while  understanding the potential impacts to the Lake Melville ecosystem. This can only be achieved by using  the best available knowledge and a robust and trusted monitoring program, he says.  

“This program needs to be implemented immediately to understand the potential impacts downstream in  the Lake Melville ecosystem, especially given that it is clear that Nalcor’s models are underestimating  increases in concentrations of methylmercury.” 

Despite concerns with Nalcor’s modelling, the Minister is still encouraging the harvesting and  consumption of healthy, nutritious and culturally appropriate food like fish, birds and seals from Lake  Melville. 

Meanwhile, staff with the Department of Lands and Natural Resources is planning to hold meetings this  winter with Beneficiaries of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement residing in Rigolet and Upper  Lake Melville to discuss ongoing concerns related to Muskrat Falls, as well as to provide an overview  on the Nunatsiavut Government’s monitoring programs.

Le Conseil des femmes élues de l’APNQL souligne la Journée nationale de commémoration et d’action contre la violence faite aux femmes

En ce 6 décembre 2020, le Conseil des femmes élues de  l’Assemblée des Premières Nations Québec-Labrador (APNQL) tient à souligner la Journée nationale de commémoration et d’action contre la violence faite aux femmes. Il y a maintenant plus  de 30 ans que 14 jeunes femmes, qui avaient l’avenir devant elles, ont été froidement assassinées  parce que, précisément, elles étaient des femmes. Ce féminicide a tristement marqué l’histoire du  Québec. 

Même s’il y a eu une grande mobilisation depuis pour s’opposer à toute forme de violence envers  les femmes, des obstacles surviennent encore. Les femmes autochtones notamment subissent  encore trop souvent de la violence et elles sont souvent confrontées à des situations d’oppression.  

L’APNQL cherchera toujours à encourager les initiatives visant à créer un espace pour les femmes  autochtones, où la parole leur est donnée. À titre d’exemple, l’APNQL souligne l’obtention récente  de la chaire de recherche du Canada par la professeure Suzy Basile de l’Université du Québec en  Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT). Les recherches de Mme Basile convergent toutes vers des  occasions réelles de donner une parole et une place aux femmes autochtones. « Cet espace essentiel  qu’est la recherche scientifique, donne enfin un regard unique sur les femmes autochtones et  constitue une façon de faire évoluer les choses », déclare Ghislain Picard, chef de l’APNQL. 

Alors que nous nous souvenons des 14 victimes qui ont été assassinées à l’École Polytechnique de  Montréal en 1989, le Conseil des femmes élues de l’APNQL désire commémorer également toutes  les femmes et filles autochtones disparues et assassinées. « Profitons de cette journée pour faire  une réflexion sérieuse sur le mieux vivre ensemble et pour se questionner sur les moyens d’y  parvenir réellement », mentionne la cheffe Adrienne Jérôme, co-porte-parole du Conseil des  femmes élues de l’APNQL. 

Le Conseil des femmes élues ainsi que tous les chefs de l’APNQL réaffirment aujourd’hui leur  engagement à lutter contre toute forme de violence que subissent les femmes, filles et LGBT dans  la société. « Nous ne pouvons plus tolérer cette forme d’oppression. Nous sommes ici, dans nos  rôles d’élues, pour être constamment en action et pour agir afin de contrer cette violence », affirme  la grande cheffe Verna Polson, co-porte-parole du Conseil des femmes élues de l’APNQL.

À propos de l’APNQL 

L’Assemblée des Premières Nations Québec-Labrador est l’organisme politique qui regroupe  43 chefs des Premières Nations au Québec et au Labrador. Suivez l’APNQL sur Twitter  @APNQL.  

À propos du Conseil des femmes élues de l’APNQL 

Le Conseil des femmes élues de l’APNQL est composé de toutes les femmes dûment élues à des postes de chefs ou conseillères de chacune des communautés des Premières Nations au Québec et au Labrador. Le Conseil des femmes élues de l’APNQL vise une perspective équitable des relations hommes-femmes au sein de la Table de chefs de l’Assemblée des Premières Nations Québec-Labrador, des communautés des Premières Nations au Québec, ainsi qu’au sein de toutes les entités traitant avec les Premières Nations qui reconnaissent, respectent, et soutiennent le rôle des femmes dans des positions de leadership.

The AFNQL Council of Elected Women marks the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

On December 6, 2020, the Council of Elected Women of the  Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) wishes to mark the National Day of  Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women. It has now been more than 30 years since  14 young women, who had their future ahead of them, were coldly murdered precisely because  they were women. This feminicide has sadly placed a stain on the history of Quebec. 

Even though there has been a large mobilization since then to oppose all forms of violence against  women, obstacles still arise. Indigenous women in particular are still too often subjected to  violence and they often face situations of oppression. 

The AFNQL will always seek to encourage initiatives aimed at creating a space for Aboriginal  women to have their say. For example, the AFNQL highlights the recent award of the Canada  Research Chair to Professor Suzy Basile of the University of Quebec in Abitibi-Témiscamingue  (UQAT). Ms. Basile’s research converges on real opportunities to give a voice and a place to  Indigenous women. “This essential space, which is scientific research, provides finally a unique  perspective of Indigenous women and is a way to make things change,” said Ghislain Picard, Chief  of the AFNQL. 

While we remember the 14 victims who were murdered at the École Polytechnique de Montréal  in 1989, the AFNQL Council of Elected Women also wishes to commemorate all the missing and  murdered Indigenous women and girls. “Let us take advantage of this day to do a serious reflection  on living better together and to question ourselves on what is needed to really achieve it,” said Chief Adrienne Jérôme, co-spokesperson for the AFNQL Council of Elected Women. 

The Council of Elected Women and all the chiefs of the AFNQL today reaffirm their commitment  to fight against all forms of violence suffered by women, girls and LGBT people in society. “We  can no longer tolerate this form of oppression. We are here, in our elected roles, to be constantly  in action and to act to counter this violence,” said Grand Chief Verna Polson, co-spokesperson for  the AFNQL Council of Elected Women.

About the AFNQL 

The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador is the political body that brings together 43 chiefs  of the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador. Follow the AFNQL on Twitter @APNQL. 

About the AFNQL Council of Elected Women 

The AFNQL Council of Elected Women shall consist of all duly elected women Chiefs or councillors from each of the First Nations communities in Quebec and Labrador. Through the establishment of an AFNQL Elected Women’s Council, this affirms the importance of building and strengthening partnership between elected men and women of the AFNQL, in all levels of decision-making within the AFNQL, as an integral step in ensuring an equitable society.

THE AFNQL WELCOMES BILL C-15 ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UN DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL)  welcomes the tabling of Bill C-15, which aims to ensure that federal laws are consistent with the  United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. 

For several years now, First Nations have been invoking the importance for Canada to adopt a  legislative framework adapted to the principles of the Declaration. The announcement of this new  bill seems to go in this direction, despite concerns expressed by many Chiefs on the lack of  meaningful consultation by the Government of Canada. 

“An important step has just been taken with the introduction of Bill C-15. Those that will follow  will be as important and will determine whether Canada is ready to make history,” said AFNQL  Chief Ghislain Picard, before concluding that “Quebec will also have to follow the path set out by  the federal government and begin discussions with First Nations to endorse the Declaration.” 

The AFNQL will take the next few days to analyze the bill and its impacts on the fundamental  rights of our populations and communities. 

About the AFNQL 

The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador is the political organization that brings together  43 First Nations Chiefs in Quebec and Labrador. Follow the AFNQL on Twitter @APNQL. 

L’APNQL ACCUEILLE LE PROJET DE LOI C-15 SUR LA MISE EN ŒUVRE DE LA DÉCLARATION DE L’ONU SUR LES DROITS DES PEUPLES AUTOCHTONES

L’Assemblée des Premières Nations Québec-Labrador (APNQL)  accueille le dépôt du projet de loi C-15 qui vise à assurer la conformité des lois fédérales avec la  Déclaration des Nations Unies sur les droits des peuples autochtones. 

Depuis plusieurs années déjà, les Premières Nations invoquent l’importance que le Canada se dote d’un cadre législatif adapté aux principes de la Déclaration. L’annonce de ce nouveau projet de loi  semble aller dans ce sens, en dépit des préoccupations exprimées par de nombreux chefs sur le  manque de consultation significative par le gouvernement du Canada. 

« Une étape importante vient d’être franchie avec le dépôt du projet de loi C-15. Celles qui suivront  le seront autant et détermineront si le Canada est prêt à passer à l’histoire » a déclaré Ghislain  Picard, chef de l’APNQL, avant de conclure que « le Québec devra aussi s’engager dans la voie  tracée par le gouvernement fédéral et entamer des discussions avec les Premières Nations pour son  adhésion à la Déclaration. » 

L’APNQL prendra les prochains jours pour analyser le projet de loi et ses impacts sur les droits  fondamentaux de nos populations et de nos communautés. 

À propos de l’APNQL 

L’Assemblée des Premières Nations Québec-Labrador est l’organisme politique qui regroupe  43 chefs des Premières Nations au Québec et au Labrador. Suivez l’APNQL sur Twitter  @APNQL. 

A new group of FortisBC’s REnEW graduates are ready for work Innovative training program builds construction skills and new lives

Kelowna, B.C. October 29, 2020 – FortisBC, together with its program delivery partner, Okanagan  Training Development Council (OTDC), and program host, Westbank First Nation, recently graduated 10  new participants from Residential Energy and Efficiency Works (REnEW), a program that provides entry level construction skills and energy efficiency training to people that have faced barriers to employment.  

“We really admire the dedication and commitment of this year’s participants. For many, this was their first  experience on a construction site and we saw their confidence grow daily as they learned each new skill,”  said Ned Georgy, program manager, conservation & energy management, FortisBC. “Much of this  success is due to the partnership with OTDC and the support of Westbank First Nation; we’re very grateful  for their contributions.” 

The aim of REnEW is to provide participants with the confidence to seek and achieve new goals and  opportunities in the construction industry, and provide local builders with access to safety-trained  employees who have an understanding of energy-efficiency best practices.  

Working with mentors and industry professionals from WIBCO Construction, this year’s participants  completed a small-scale demonstration building—complete with insulation, windows and siding—after  receiving two weeks of in-class training and earning up to eight safety-related certificates such as WHMIS and First Aid. They also completed an additional week of training to earn their small machinery operator’s  licence. The completed building, located next to the Westbank First Nation Community Garden, will  provide long-term value as a shed for food and equipment storage.  

“We originally had a different project in mind but pivoted to an outdoor structure so that COVID social  distancing practices could be better maintained,” said Ned Georgy, program manager, conservation &  energy management, FortisBC. “It turned out to be a great choice – constructing a small building helped  participants see a project from start to finish and gain experience in a wider range of construction and  energy efficiency techniques.”  

The journey will continue after graduation for these participants. OTDC, this year’s REnEW delivery  partner, has a depth of experience providing training programs and services that support Indigenous  individuals in attaining meaningful employment. OTDC will support participants through two weeks of work  experience on a real construction site and continue to mentor them for a period of up to three months as  they search for related job opportunities or navigate related post-secondary programs. In fact, four of this  year’s participants plan to pursue education opportunities in trades and may be eligible for further help  through a scholarship from FortisBC. 

“The ultimate goal is economic sustainability – getting a decent job to support your family,” said Karen  Abramsen, manager, OTDC. “The skills the students learn through REnEW and having access to funding  for further training, helps them carve a path for a better future.” 

These 10 graduates join the 122 proud graduates who have gained marketable and employable skills  through REnEW since 2010. Past participants have helped a number of other non-profit organizations  make energy-efficiency upgrades including The Bridge Youth & Family Services, Habitat for Humanity,  and Freedom’s Door. To hire a REnEW grad or find out how to get involved with a future project, visit fortisbc.com/renew.